Government At Work

TUESDAY, APRIL 17—

8:00 a.m. – McHenry County College Board Finance and Negotiations Committee-

Meeting in the College Board Room of the College, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

Following a report by the President, the FY 2013 Budget Update is to be presented.

This is followed by a dialogue on partnerships with discussion regarding board members comments and future agenda topics.

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Housing Commission –

Meeting in the Conference Room of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

Old business includes a review of staff report and discussion, as well as discussion on HOME funding notice and discussion and action if necessary.

New business includes the recommendation of reappointment of commissioners to the Housing Commission

6:30 p.m. -- District 155 Board Policy Committee --
Meeting in Cary Grove High School. 
Will be discussing Attendance Residency Requirements. 

7:00 p.m. – McHenry County Board –

Meeting in the County Board Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock. Some of the highlights include:

Two presentations are scheduled, including a Fair Housing Poster Contest and an Update Report on the Analysis of Impediments Study.

A contract agreement for a permitting system for the Planning and Development Department and the Environmental Health Department with a $158,200 contract to be approved for the purchase and implementing a digital plan review system for the County.

A resolution approving a Bond Record-Keeping Policy for the County is being presented for consideration.

Leslie A. Schermerhorn is being appointed to fill the vacancy of the election position of Regional Superintendent of Schools. This position has remained vacant for a prolonged period because the State of Illinois failed to fund the position which requires very specific qualifications.

7:30 p.m. – Crystal Lake City Council  --

Meeting in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake.

Recognizing High School Sports

The Council is being requested to adopt a resolution authorizing a sign to be placed along the City rights-of-way recognizing the Prairie Ridge High School football team, the Crystal Lake Central and Crystal Lake South High School Pom Squads, and Crystal Lake Central High School wrestler Gage Harrah for winning the State Championships for their respective sport.

Congratulations To All:

Prairie Ridge football team finished their 13-1 season with an IHSA 6A State Championship. South High School Pom Squad placed first in the Team Dance Illinois Kick 3A State competition.

Crystal Lake Central High School Team Dance Illinois Pom Squad placed first in the Pom 2A State competition.

Crystal Lake Central High School wrestler, Gage Harrah, placed first in the state in the 195 AA class State competition.

Teal Around Town

A request for approval is being made to allow “Teal Around Town” ribbon campaign to raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer for the month of September. It involves the placement of teal colored ribbons on trees along common traffic arteries in Crystal Lake.

Liquor License Changes

Two establishments, The London Club at 394 W. Virginia Street and Papa Saverios, 540 E. Terra Cotta Avenue, are seeking Liquor License changes.

The London Club seeks t increase the number of Class 9 liquor licenses and decrease the Class 3 liquor license. They desire to allow alcoholic beverages to be served in an open unroofed area within 100 fee of land zoned for residential purposes.

Papa Saverios, 540 East Terra Cotta Avenue, desires to increase the number of Class 8 liquor licenses. This is an addition to the Class 8 licenses as Papa Saverios is to be located at in the former Taylor Street Pizza. The request by the new owners is to allow the sale on the premises specified in the interior of the building and open unroofed area immediately contiguous to the building,

Sign Variation Requests

Approval of a couple sign variations is being requested. One is to allow wall signage greater than the Unified Development Ordinance allowance for a gas station at 4410 Northwest Highway. A second is to allow a free-standing sign to exceed the required square footage requirements, allowing a variation of 4.85 square feet for the First Church of Christ, Scientists at 431 Woodstock Street.

The Crystal Lake Plaza is seeking a Final Planned Unit Development Amendment to allow changes to the existing electronic message center on the existing pylon sign to allow a three-minute hold for messages.

Senior Independent Living Facility

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois is planning the construction of a 60-unit senior independent living development at 401 Commonwealth Drive. They are seeking approval of a Final Plan of Subdivision and Final Planned Unit Development for the project.

Fenced Boat Storage

Approval of a Special Use Permit is being requested by the Crystal Lake Park District at Kamijima Park for a structure over 100 square feet to allow a 736-square foot fenced storage area. This is for the Rowing Club which plans to construct a second storage area for existing and new boats and equipment.

The storage area is a chain link fence with steel roof. There is a need for the group to work with city staff to lessen the parking problem in the area.

Crystal Lake’s First Pawnshop

Preparing for Crystal Lake’s first pawnshop, the Planning and Zoning Commission recently developed an ordinance defining pawnshop regulations and expectations. The ordinance will require electronic record keeping, daily reports to be given to the Police Department, defined waiting periods before selling items, prohibited sale of certain items, required video surveillance system, penalties for ordinance violations, and license requirements.

Additionally, part of the application process will include a $500 license fee. This fee will contribute to the annual City purchase of Leads Online software, used o track and monitor items as well as enhance the Police Department’s investigative ability to protect both pawnbrokers and general public.

Provisions in the ordinance allow the City to reprimand the pawnshop business if they do not follow ordinance guidelines. The City can suspend or revoke the pawnshops license, if the violation is major. Minor violations will result in a fine, recommended at $150.  Approval of this ordinance is up to the City Council.

A pawn shop is planned for 457-469 W. Virginia Street. A pawnshop owner has been before the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Commission has recommended approval of the necessary ordinance amendment for this location.

Three Oaks Recreation Hours

A few changes are recommended for hours at Three Oaks Recreation facility. The area is to be open May 1 – the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend the same hours as last year—11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. daily.

Memorial Day Weekend to Mid-August (when beach hours are reduced) to be open daily 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. which offers three additional hours from last year.

Labor Day Holiday Weekend sill remain the same -- open daily 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Tuesday after Labor Day to October 1, last year the facility was open 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. That is being changed to weekend open only and weekdays when a high temperature is, or exceeds 70 degrees—then 11AM to 6 PM.

October – No required hours last year.

Columbus Day Weekend – Friday thru Monday – 11 AM to 6 PM

(In 2012 this is October 5, 6, 7, 8)

Public Hearing On Electrical Aggregation Plan of Operation and Governance

Residents of Crystal Lake voted at the March 20 primary election to opt authorize the City to adopt an “opt-out” program for the supply of electricity to residential and small commercial retail customers.

In order to comply with the State of Illinois requirements, the City must display a Plan of Operation and Governance (POGO) which was accomplished March 22.

Two public hearings must be held by the City Council on the POGO. One is taking place April 17 and a second on May 1.

Approval of an ordinance formally authorizing an opt-out program for the City on May 1.

Solicitation of bids from alternative electricity suppliers will be sought early to mid May 2012. Award of a bid shortly after that, early to mid-May.

Power flowing to Crystal Lake residents under this program should be late Summer 2012.

The POGO outlines the roles and responsibilities of the City, and the electrical aggregation implementation process.

The City anticipates that bids will be received soon after ComEd sets their new rates in May. A bid will only be accepted if it is less than the ComEd rate. Also provisions will be incorporated into the bid contract that will require the ARES to match ComEd rate if it falls below the contracted rate during the period of the agreement.

Additionally, the agreement with the selected ARES will include the elimination of termination fees, allowing residents and small businesses to revert back to the ComEd rate without suffering any financial penalty.

Public Hearing – Annual Budget Resolution and Salary Ordinance

The budget has been on public display since the April 3 City Council meeting. City officials note that the current budget for 2012/2013 continues the funding of General Fund services without the use of corporate property tax.

Crystal Lake continues to have the lowest municipal tax rate in the area – 0.758 with the next highest being Cary at 0.819.

The highest rate of 1.823 is paid by Woodstock taxpayers.

High School District 155 Board of Education--

Meeting in Cary-Grove High School, 2208 Three Oaks Road, Cary.

A public hearing is slated on a proposed Driver Education Fee Increase